Workman&#39;s time-recorder.



No. 875,393. PATENTED DEC. 31, 190?. F. J. TRAN & F. GAIS.

'WORKMANS TIME RECORDER. 'Arrmculon FILED JAN. 24. 1906.

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F. J. TRAN & F. mus.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

APPLICATION IiLED JAN. 24, 1906.

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No. 875,393. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

' F. J TRAN &: F.'OAIS.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED 51111.24, 1906.

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PATENT'ED DEC. 31, 1907.

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T V INVENTORs moi? F. J. TRAN & F. OAIS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24. 1906. I

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

W/INESSES:

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. TRAN AND FRANK OAIS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WORKMANS TIME-RECORDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

A li ati fil d January 24, 1906. Serial No. 297,560.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK J. TRAN and FRANK CAIs, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Cleveland, county of Guyahoga, and Stateof Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in WVorkmensTime-Recorders and Record-Sheets for Use with Same, of which thefollowing is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplatedapplying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

Our invention relates to the class of time recorders used in factories,stores, and similar establishments, where it is found desirable toregister the time of arrival and departure each day, or several timeseach day, of a large number of employees.

Such invention more specifically relates to several improvements in aworkmans time recorder of the type described in our pending application,Serial No. 265,201, filed June 1.4, 1905.

It furthermore includes a record sheet which we have devised for use incomlection with recorders of this kind.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described. andspecifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, said disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used. I

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 rep resents a front elevation of acomplete time recorder embodying our improvements; Fig. 2 represents thearrangement of the parts of such recorder as viewed from above, the topof the case and the clock mechanism being removed, and only a portion ofthe rotary platen being included; Fig. 3 shows in enlarged sideelevation the time-printing device forming a part of such recorder; Fig.4 is a plan view of a portion of the same; Fig. 5 represents the hollowspindle of the rotary platen in longitudinal cross-section and theoperating shaft, which fits within such spindle, in elevation; Fig. 6 inan enlarged cross-sectional view of a detail of the operating handle;Fig. 7 shows a portion of the sheet which is designed to be removablyattached to the platen to receive the record; and Fig. 8 is asimilarrepresentation of a permanent sheet designed for use in connection withsuch record receiving sheet.

The main features of the recorder, which forms the basis of our presentinvention, are acase A, Fig. 1, within which is revolubly mounted a drumor platen C, shown in part in Fig. 2 a time-printing device adapted tomove on ways V W transversely across said platen; a clock-actuatedspindle M parallel with said ways and connected to operate saidtimeprinting device; mechanism, including a spindle S having a series ofadjustably positioned slotted disks 8 mounted thereon, for controllingthe movement of said timeprinting device across the platen; andoperating means, i. e. mechanism whereby said platen may be rotated soas to bring any desired portion thereof beneath the timeprinting device,and the latter thereupon actuated to print on the record sheet borne bysaid platen.

In addition to an improved record sheet, it is to improvements in. thetime-printing mechanism and in the operating means that we here desireto call especial attention. Other features of the recorder willaccordingly be taken up only so far as is necessary to make clear theconstruction and operation of these parts.

The manner in which rotary drum U is mounted is clearly shown in Fig. 5.This drum is hollow, of course, for the sake of lightness, and thecircular pieces O C form ing its ends are provided with cylindricaloutwardly projecting studs C which turn in suitable bearings, not shown,provided in the end walls of case A. Through openings pro vided in thesestuds, and through a sleeve d which lies between said studs and issecured thereto so as to form, in effect, in conjunction with the same,a hollow spindle for the platen, is passed a shaft D, which we shallterm the operating shaft. Such shaft D is held against rotation withrespect to hollow spindle d by a pin or key 01 that passes through theshaft and registers in oppositely disposed slots d in the spindle butlongitudinal reciprocation, as is apparent, is permitted within thelimits of such slots. Normally, however, a helical spring d interposedbetween pin (1 and an adjustably positioned sleeve d, serves to maintainshaft D in the position illustrated, where the forward end projectsbeyond the corresponding stud C 1 It is readily perceived that rotationof shaft D will effect the rotation of platen C; while the reciprocatorymotion of the same just described is utilized to operate thetimeprinting device as will presently appear. Both these movements ofshaft D are produced by means of an operating handle F, Fig. 1. Handle Fcomprises a bar F secured at its center to stud C and having an apertureregistering with the aperture in said stud, the stud being made toproject through the wall of case A far enough to permit of suchattachment. Pointers or fingers f of unequal lengths are respectivelysecured to each end of such bar F; and disposed side by side upon thebar and respectively pivotally attached thereto at its ends are. twolever armsf of equal length. The free ends of these arms are normallyurged outwardly by springs f mounted as shown, such outward movementbeing limited, however, by suitable retaining members f Inward movementof either arm is produced manually-by pressing upon a knobf mounted onsuch free end. Since shaft D is normally adjusted so as to projectthrough the aperture in stud C and attached bar F and some distancebeyond, and since arms f lie directly in line with the end of suchshaft, the effect of such inward movement of either arm is seen to be areciprocation of the shaft. The springs f, of course, are assisted inreturning arms f to their normal positions by the outward thrust ofspring against pin (1*. Rotation of shaft D is also easily effected bysimply grasping knob f* of either arm and swinging it around as desired.

The detailed structure of a knob f is shown in Fig. 6. Such structure,it is there seen, comprlses a pin normally retained within the sleeve fby means of a helical spring f; the first effect of pressure applied tothe knob, accordingly, is to protrude the pin, the lever arm will not bemoved until spring f 7 is compressed. Arranged in a semi circle on adial of the form and disposition shown in Fig. 1, is a series ofapertures a, equal in number to half the total number of individualrecords that the instrument is designed to keep. The pin f of eitherknob f is designed to register in any of such apertures. Obviously, theregistering of the pin of one knob f with any aperture a will correspondwith the printing position of any space on one half of the platenssurface; similarly the registering of the pin of the other knob willcorrespond with the printing position of any space on the other half ofthe platens surface.

To indicate the correct position of the knob of the arm bearing theshort pointer f in order to make a record on any desired space on thecorresponding half of the platen, numbers corresponding to the numbers Aof such spaces are arranged in the form of a semi-circle on a radius ofa length equal to that of such short arm. For use with the arm bearingthe long pointer a second series A of numbers arranged in the form of asemi-circle concentric with the first semicircle is provided, suchnumbers of course designating spaces on the other half of the platen.Where there are a great many employees, to avoid crowding on the dialthe numbers in each series are preferably arranged in staggered relationwith each other, as shown, lead lines a? being provided to assist in thepicking out of any particular number.

By the foregoing construction the numbers designating positions on theplaten are much more compactly arranged, and the operation of the handlethus made more con venient for persons differing in height since theinstrument can be placed so as to bring all parts of the dial withineasy reach of a man of average height. By having the pin in the knobs bywhich the handle is operated retractile, the platen has to be positionedand there locked before the operating lever f is thrust in far enough tomove shaft D. The knob at the end of the handle bearing the long pointershould differ slightly in appearance from that at the other end, so asto avoid delay in choosing the proper arm for numbers either on theouter or inner semicircle.

The time-printing device, as has been stated, .is movable transverselyacross the platen on ways V WV. Such movement is effected by means of acord Q passing around pulleys Q, Q Q, and having a weight (not shown)attached at its free end. Such movement is controlled, so as to takeplace at predetermined moments, for predetermined amounts by means ofsuitable regulating mechanism described in the pending application towhich reference has been previously made.

The time-printing device here shown, Fig. 3, is also substantially thesame as the one therein described, and its structure need be here setforth, only so far as is necessary to explain the operation of a newelement which we have found it advantageous to employ. Such devicecomprises two members, the first P of which is movably supported uponthe aforesaid ways V, V, the second F of which is pivotally attached tosaid first member by a pin N so as to be vertically movable with respectto the same. The before-mentioned clock-actuated spindle U passesthrough suitable openings in the sides of carriage member P and agear-wheel K mounted in such member and feathered on said spindle isconnected to drive the printmg mechanism proper, which is mounted in thefree end of the second, pivotally attached, carriage member P, thetime-printing type-wheels being adapted upon the depression of such freeend of carriage-member P to contact with the portion of the platen lyingdirectly thereunder. member P is normally retained out of suchcontacting position by means of a helical spring not shown, whichconnects it with first carriage-member. Depression thereof andconsequent record of time on the platen is effected by means of arocking frame E, to the straight portion of which the free end of thecarriage is slidably attacl'ied, Figs. 2 and .1. This frame E is adaptedto be rocked by means of a bent lever D, Fig. 2, fulcrumed on. a pin din brackets secured to the frame of the clock. The upper arm of thelever lies along the frame E and is secured to it near its mid-point bythe pin a. The other arm of the lever is disposed downwardly and engagesa notch (Z in the end of spindle D. lieci n'oeation of such spindle, itis evident, will artuate lever D to depress frame E which carries withit carriageunember P" and the time-printing typewheels. These typewheelsare two in number, one j bearing upon its periphery characters forprinting the mimrtes, the other the hours, upon the record sheet.Rotation of the minute wheel is effected by means of suitable gearwheels ll, 1. and j, connecting it with drive gear wheel K. .ltotationof the hour wheel is intermittently effected by means of a star wheel jfixedthereto and rotating therewith, provided on its periphery with theproper number of concave sections and interve.n ing notches j and thetoothed wheel 72 provided with a single tooth 7r, which is adapted toengage such notches j, and thus effect the rotation of wheel j one typespace for each rotation of wheel 72?. The convex portions of theperipnery of wheel 72 by fitting successively in the concave portions ofthe periphery of star wheel j", prevent any vibration of the hour wheelduring the process of printing.

The toothed wheel 71. rotates independently on the same axis h as thegear wheel h, and is rotated thereby through the agency of two disks 7L4and. 71?. These disks are respectively provided on their contiguousfaces with projecting lugs 7r and 723, which are adapted to contact inthe course of rotation of the disks; except when such lugs are thus incontact, disk h with attached wheel 7L7, is

free to rotate about its axis, being normally I held with its lug at aparticular angle by a weighted arm 12, secured to that portion 71. ofthe common hub of the disk and wheel 72 which projects without the sideplate P of the carriage. In the course of the rotation of the disk 7L2lug 7t" thereon contacts with lug h on disk 72/4 in its normal position,and by its continued rotation carries such dish with it and raises theweighted arm h When the weighted arm 72/ is raisedv to a verticalposition over the axis, a slight addi tional movement will carry itbeyond its center of gravity and it will fall to its normalCarriageposition at once, effecting thus practically instantaneously thecompletion of the rotation of disk 7i and attached wheel 72]. Therelative positions of the lugs on the disks 72. 7%, of the concaveportions and. notches on star wheel j, and of the tooth on wheel 72 areall such that this instantaneous rotation of the disk 7% occurs exactlyupon the comple tion of one rotation of the minute-printing wheel, and anew type space on the hourprinting wheel is thus advanced into positionfor printing.

It has been found in practice that a slight jar, such as mani 'nilationof the operating mechanism by an employee engaged in registering,- willsometimes cause weighted arm h to drop a minute, or so, too soon, thatis, the hour-printing wheel will be advanced one space while the minutewheel is still at 58 or 59. The result is that, instead of printing 6.g. 6:58, the device will print 7:58. To remedy this defect we mount arock-shaft h in carriage-member P so as to be parallel with the spindlesupon which the type and other wheels rotate. This shaft isintermittently rocked by means (If an arm 7L extending forwardly so asto lie f lat against one side of gear wheel 7t upon. which is mounted aprojecting lug 7i adapted to engage and raise such arm in the course ofthe wheels rotation. Upon. the other end. of the rockshaft is mounted asecond forwardly extending arm 7& disposed normally to interceptweighted arm 719 after it begins to fall and before it has turned farenough to actuate the hour-wheel. Such arm does not release weighted arm72? until arm it has been raised to the highest point by the lug it onwheel 71 and this lug is so placed as not to effect such movement untilthe revolution of the minute wheel j is complete. Thus there is nopossibility of the hour wheel being rotated in. advance of thecompletion of a full turn by the minute wheel, and an absolutelyaccurate registration of the time is assured.

The record sheet, of which a portion is shown in Fig. 7, may be attachedto the platen in any approved fashion. Where the platen is large it isdesirable to use more than one such sheet, since a single sheet largeenough to go entirely around the drum would be inconvenient to handle.Each such sheet is similarly ruled, being divided into a number of equaltransverse divisions consec utively numbered in a column at one side,the right as shown, the numbers correspond ing with similar numbersassigned to the several employees who are to use the recorder. Verticallines further divide the sheet and form columns corresponding tointervals of time, as days. Of these there may be any number up to thecapacity of the machine, which ordinarily would provide for six workingdays as shown. These columns are suitably headed with the names of theappropriate days, and the mechanism controlling the movement of thetime-printing device across the platen is adjusted to cause such deviceto print in one column within such daily column the hour and minute foreach arrival within a given interval of time, as between 6 :00 a. m. and7 :30 a. m.; in asecond column, the time of return at noon, the time ofdeparture being in most establishments uniform for all and hence notrecorded individually; and in a third column the time of de parture inthe evening. Other columns for work overtime may be provided, or thearrangement just described varied to suit local conditions. A finalcolumn is set apart after each daily column in which to mark the actualtime spent in labor on that particular day. At the right of the sheetother extra columns are provided in one of these, marked Total time, maybe placed the sum of the several periods noted at the conclusion of eachday; in another, the amount of wages due on the basis of the timethusadded up; and in yet another, remarks, etc.

To facilitate the calculation of the amount of wages, which is anexceedingly laborious operation by any method at present in vogue, wehave devised a permanent sheet for use in connection with the recordsheet just described. This sheet, Fig. 8, is divided into equaltransverse divisions in size exactly the same as those of the recordsheet. These divisions are numbered to correspond with the divisions onsuch record sheet, and on the same side of the sheet. In columnsimmediately preceding this column of numbers, space is provided forindicating the Rate per week, and Rate per hour of each employee, thename of such employee being written in another column provided for thatpurpose immediately to the left of these. Still further to the leftother columns are provided in which to note the Age Residence and otheritems of information, or identification, which it is desired to preserveconcerning employees. To use such permanent sheet the time of eachemployee on the weekly record sheet is first footed up and placed in theproper column at the right of such sheet; then the permanent sheet issuperimposed upon such record sheet so as to bring correspondinglynumbered transverse divisions into alinement, the right edge of thepermanent sheet being moved up to the column on the record sheet inwhich the total time is recorded. Disregarding the miscellaneous itemsnoted to the left on the permanent sheet, it is evident that the name ofan employee, the rate which he is being paid, his number, the total timeworked, a blank column in which to note the amount due, and his numberagain, will appear in consecutive order. It is accordingly a very simplematter to calculate the amount due on the basis of the rate of Wages andtime worked which appear side by side, and to mark the result in thecolumn provided therefor. Possibility of error by confusing twoemployees records is made very remote by the arrangement of the numberedcolumns since any mistake in alinement would at once put the numbersawry and hence be at once detected. WVhen the column for Amount due hasbeen thus filled out on the record sheet, or sheets, where more than oneare employed, the latter may be gathered into a suitable binder and thusput in convenient form for the use of the paymaster, or other oflicial,as well as for preservation. The permanent sheet may be used over andover again, any changes in the force of employees, or in their rate ofwages, etc., being readily made thereon without requiring any alterationin the arrangement of the record sheet.

Having thus described our invention in detail, that which weparticularly point out and distinctly claim is:

1. In a workmans time-recorder, the combination of a rotary platen; adial provided with two series of designating characters, such characterscorresponding with transverse portions of said platen; and two pointersof unequal lengths mounted in front of said dial and connected to rotatewith said platen, such series of characters being so arranged as to berespectively indicated by the longer and the shorter of said twopointers.

2 In a workmans time-recorder, the combination of a rotary platenadapted to support a record sheet or the like; a ial provided withseparate series of designating characters corresponding with transversedivisions on said platen, said characters being arranged on arcs ofconcentric circles; and pointers of different lengths mounted in frontof said dial and connected to rotate with said platen, the arcs on whichsaid characters are arranged being disposed so as to be respectivelyindicated by different pointers.

3. In a workmans time-recorder, the combination of a rotary platenprovided with a record sheet having transverse divisions to corres ondwith individual workmen; a dial provided with separate series ofdesignating characters arranged on arcs of concentric circles, each ofsaid series corresponding with a series of successive divisions on saidrecord sheet; and pointers of different lengths mounted in front of saiddial and connected to rotate with said platen, the arcs on which saidcharacters are arranged being disposed so as to be respectivelyindicated by different pointers.

4. In a workmans time-recorder, the combination of a rotary platenprovided with a record sheet having transverse divisions to corres ondwith individual workmen; a dial proviclbd with two series of designatingcharacters arranged on concentric semicircles,

one of said series corresponding with the divisions on one-half of saidrecord sheet and the other series corresponding with the divisions onthe other half thereof; and two oppositely disposed pointers of unequallengths mounted in front of said dial and connected to rotate with saidplaten, the semicircles on which said characters are arranged beingdisposed so as to be respectively indicated by the longer and theshorter of said two pointers.

5. In a workinans time-recorder, the combination of a. hollow spindle; acylindrical platen mounted thereon and adapted to support a recordsheet; a time-printing device adapted to print on said record sheet; areciprocatory shaft mounted in said hollow spindle and connected toactuate said timeprinting device to thus print; and two oppositelydisposed levers mounted upon the end of said spindle and independentlyadapted to reciprocate said shaft.

6. In a workmans time-recorder, the combination of a hollow spindle; acylindrical platen mounted thereon and provided with a record sheethaving transverse divisions; a time-printing device adapted. to print onsaid record sheet; a reciprocatory shaft mounted in said hollow spindleand connected to actuate said time-printing device to thus print; twooppositely disposed levers mounted upon the end of said spindle andindependently adapted to reciprocate said shaft; a dial bearing twoseries of refer-- ence characters corres' onding to the divisions uponrespective lalves of said platen said series being arranged onconcentric semicircles; and two pointers connected to move with saidlevers and respectively adapted to indicate characters in a differentseries.

7 In a workmans time-recorder, the com bination of a hollow spindle; acylindrical platen mounted thereon; and adapted to support a recordsheet having transverse divisions; a time-printing device adapted toprint on said record sheet; a reciprocatory shaft mounted in said hollowspindle and connected to actuate said time-printing device to thusprint; a dial provided with a series of apertures corresponding with thedivisions upon said record sheet; a lever arm mounted upon the end ofsaid spindle and adapted to rotate said platen and to reciprocate saidshaft; a knob borne by said lever; a pin mounted in said knob andadapted to register with said apertures; and a spring adapted tonormally retract said pin within said knob, whereby upon depressing saidknob said pin is brought into register with an aperture before saidlever is actuated to reciprocate said shaft.

8. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a dialprovided with a series of apertures; of a lever arm movable across saiddial and adapted to oscillate towards and from the same; a knob borne bysaid lever; a pin mounted in said knob and adapted to register with saidapertures; and a spring adapted to normally retract said pin within saidknob, whereby upon depressing said knob said pin is brought intoregister with an aperture before said lever is oscillated.

- 9. In a time-printing device, the combination of a mirmte-printingtype-wheel; an hour-printing type-wheel, said wheels being mounted uponthe same shaft; a drive shaft parallel with said type-wheel shaft andgeared to drive said minute-printing wheel directly; a wheel looselymounted on. said drive shaft for intermittently driving said hour-wheel;means borne by said drive shaft adapted to turn said loosely mounted.wheel through a partial rotation; a weighted arm connected. with thelattenand adapted to thereupon turn said wheel through the remainder ofsuch rotation; a rock shaft parallel with aforesaid. shafts; and twoarms mounted upon said rock-shaft and respectively adapted to beoscillated upon rotation of said drive shaft, and to control themovement of said weighted arm.

Signed by us this 18 day of January 1906.

FRANK J TRAN. FRANK CAIS.

Attested by JNo. F. OBERLIN, G. W. SAYWELL.

